Instant Pot Poultry Setting: What is it? Which Models Have it?
The Instant Pot electric pressure cookers include smart programs that were created based on extensive testing. These programs control temperature, pressure, heat intensity, and duration at the click of a button. The Instant Pot Poultry button controls one specific smart program.
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One thing to note: Not all of the Instant Pot models and sizes within a series have the same set of smart programs. This is especially true for the 3 quart models. For example, within a series (e.x. Lux, and Ultra), the mini models do not have all of the not all smart programs are available compared to the 6 and 8 quart models. And like the cake button, the poultry smart program is included in a limited number of models, and it’s not available on the 3 quart models. Always double-check the Instant Pot you are thinking of buying if the poultry smart program is important to you.
What does the Instant Pot poultry setting do?
Like the other Instant Pot Smart Programs, the poultry smart program presets the cooking pressure, heat intensity, temperature, and time.
The poultry button sets an initial cooking time and you can adjust as needed. By default, the button cooks at high pressure for different lengths of time.
- Normal Setting: 15 minutes by default, is for a very soft texture,
- More Setting: 30 minutes default and is for fall-off-the-bone texture
- Less Setting: 5 minutes by default and is for soft texture
Choose the setting based on the texture you want for your finished dish. Alternatively, you can simply adjust the cooking time to achieve the same results.
Which Instant Pot models have the Instant Pot poultry button
Sometimes only a few of the Instant Pot models have a specific smart program, and within the series, the 3 quart models may not have the button either. The mini model only has so much space on the control panel.
Before you buy your Instant Pot, double-check if the poultry button is on both the model and size. It’s also possible that earlier versions of a model don’t have a button and it’s added into new models as they adjust the functions of a specific Instant Pot Model.
Which Instant Pot models have the Poultry Setting?
The poultry button, compared to other buttons, is on a very limited set of Instant Pot models.
The Instant Pot Duo Nova and Duo model series include the poultry button on the 6 quart and 8 quart models. For the Duo Nova, the poultry button is also on the 10 quart mode, the largest Instant Pot currently available. As with other specialty programs, these buttons are not available on the 3 quart models.
And as mentioned before always double-check the Instant model before you purchase because it’s also possible a button that was available before is switched out for a different program. Or in some cases, the button is added to newer Instant Pot versions.
| 3 Quart | 6 Quart | 8 Quart | 10 Quart | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Instant Pot Duo* | Yes | Yes | ||
| Instant Pot Duo Nova (new in 2019) | Yes | Yes | Yes |
What if your Instant Pot doesn’t have the Poultry Smart Program?
Don’t worry. You don’t have to miss out on making chicken recipes in your Instant Pot if it doesn’t have a poultry button. As you’ll notice, the vast majority of Instant Pot models don’t have the button. Most recipes use manual (or pressure cook) in the cooking instructions.
Just double-check the recipe to see if there are any additional special instructions on time or ingredients to help you have a great finished dish.
Over to you. What do you think about the Instant Pot Poultry Button?
Is this a setting you want on your Instant Pot or are you trying to make chicken with a manual setting process?
Learn more about the Instant Pot Settings
As part of your Instant Pot research, don’t forget to take a closer look at the other Instant Pot Smart programs to help you figure out which options are the most important to you.
- Instant Pot Cake Setting
- Instant Pot Soup/Broth Setting
- Instant Pot Meat/Stew Setting
- Instant Pot Chili/Bean Setting
- Instant Pot Porridge Setting
Does this function presume the poultry is thawed or frozen? Any adjustments one way or the other?
It’s a good question Bill. I suspect it’s based on thawed. Typically what I’ve seen in is that you might need a few extra minutes for frozen, especially depending on if it’s a frozen as a single brick of chicken versus individual pieces. Worst comes to worst, cook it for a set time, check the temperature if needed, and then add some extra time if it’s not 100% done. Thanks for stopping by!
If my Instant Pot does not have a poultry setting, do I use the meat setting? Do I need to add extra time especially when cooking frozen poultry? Thank-you. Liz
Hi Elizabeth –
I’ve typically used the pressure cook setting for poultry when I’m using one of my IPs that doesn’t have the poultry button. I don’t typically cook from frozen, but I believe you need to add a few minutes if you’re cooking frozen chicken. The recipe you use will likely give you guidance on that.